WHAT ARE HOTELS and NOROVIRUS?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Viruses are microscopic particles that can infect living cells. They cannot reproduce on their own and require a host. Humans, animals, plant cells, and bacteria serve as hosts.

WHY?

The virus easily spreads through a guest or employee who is a carrier, another visitor to the hotel besides guests, or, although less likely, through water and food. The symptoms of this illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, and joint pain. Often, these symptoms closely resemble food poisoning. There is no specific medication, and like other viral diseases, antibiotic treatment is ineffective in this case. At this stage, plenty of water should be consumed, light foods preferred, measures to boost the immune system taken, and medical help sought. However, to avoid transmitting the disease to another host, it is recommended that the sick person pay attention to personal hygiene rules and avoid crowded environments for approximately 72 hours.

WHEN

After infection, symptoms begin to appear within the incubation period of 24-48 hours. The symptoms continue for 12-60 hours, after which the illness is expected to pass.

HOW

The risk of disease spread is very high in public transportation, mass consumption areas, and accommodation facilities such as hotels. Procedures may vary depending on whether there is an outbreak within the hotel.

  • Regular disinfection of all surfaces touched by hand (door handles, stair railings, elevator buttons, faucets, etc.) must be ensured. At this stage, chlorine-based or another chemical effective against viruses can be used.
  • All surfaces of general area restrooms and children’s clubs should be wiped with chlorine-based disinfectant and this process should be repeated frequently throughout the day.
  • Cleaning cloths must be separated by floor service.
  • A separate cleaning cloth should be used for each room.
  • All surfaces inside patient rooms must be cleaned and disinfected.
  • Trash bins should be provided in general area restrooms, pool sides, children’s clubs, etc., exclusively for soiled diapers.
  • Cleaning of areas contaminated with feces and vomit must be done with protective clothing, and after cleaning, disinfected with chlorine water within a 2-meter radius. Used cloths, mops, protective gloves, and other cleaning materials should be separated and thoroughly disinfected or disposable cleaning materials should be preferred.
  • Soiled textiles and clean textiles must be washed separately, and good laundry practices should be observed.
  • Personnel involved in food preparation must pay attention to personal and hand hygiene.

RECORD KEEPING

The list of patients within the facility must be recorded. For the relevant registration form, please click here.

Number: 32 • August 23, 2013

NOTE: The required measures may be more than those mentioned above. The important points are included in the reminder, and the order of importance may vary depending on the risk situation.